Tag Archives: Porcelain Veneers

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Can my teeth match my undershirt?

I was wondering if it is possible to get my teeth bleached so white that they match my white undershirt?  I bleach my shirts and they are really a brite white. I want my teeth the same color. Is that possible?

Curtis J.- Memphis

Curtis,

This has to be the most interesting question I have ever received. Thanks for making my evening. You can get your teeth very white with teeth whitening. How white they get really depends on factors that are outside the control of either your dentist or you. Therefore, if it is  a specific color you are after, I recommend you get porcelain veneers. Cosmetic dentists can control a lot more over not only the color, but the shape of the teeth.

However, make sure you go to an expert cosmetic dentist. If not, you could end up with a disaster. There are two easy ways to locate expert cosmetic dentists. Your first step would be to look for  a dentist who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). They will be the top 1-3% of dentists. If however, you there isn’t an AACD accredited dentist in driving  distance, then I recommend you next check with the mynewsmile.com website. They recommend highly qualified cosmetic dentists in each state. You’ll be safe with anyone they recommend.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette Louisiana Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

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Smile makeover without spending a fortune

I want to get a smile makeover. My problem is I can’t spend a fortune. My sister just got her smile done, but it cost her $35,000. I don’t have that kind of money. Personally, I think my sister was overcharged. She tends to want to only go to the top of the line for anything. My question is how can I find a highly qualified cosmetic dentist without spending an unreasonable amount of money? Oh, my dentist says I have a problem with grinding. I don’t know if that will affect my makeover. FYI, I don’t trust my dentist for cosmetic work. He’s a good regular dentist though.

Gail B.- New Mexico

Gail,

There are two ways to find a great cosmetic dentist. One is to go on the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD.com) website and look for someone who is accredited with them that practices in your area. There is a difference between accreditation and membership, so make sure you are looking up the right thing. Another avenue is to look on the mynewsmile.com website and see who they recommend in your state.

For a smile makeover you generally do porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns. Sometimes a mix of both.  Because of your grinding issue, I’m guessing the dentist you choose will recommend mostly porcelain crowns.  It is good you are not just going to your family dentist to get your work done, because you would end up out of a lot of money as well as disappointed in the results.  Not all highly qualified cosmetic dentists charge a fortune, but they won’t be cheap either. I would make a list of potential cosmetic dentists from those two sources, then call and ask them how much they charge for porcelain crowns. You’ll probably be able to find one who is both qualified and reasonable in their fees.  I hope this helps.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, Louisiana dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

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Options for straightening teeth

I’ve had crooked teeth my whole life. My parents could not afford to get them fixed. I’m now starting my career and have some discretionary money to fix my teeth. Could you list out some ways to fix my teeth at varying expenses. Don’t tell me what is the cheapest or most expensive. I want to just think about what I feel the best option is.

Thanks,

Cynthia F.- Alabama

Cynthia,

Here are three good options for you:

1. Invisalign: Not everyone is a candidate, but any Invisalign dentist can tell you and many dentists do a complimentary consultation so you don’t waste money figuring out if you’re a candidate.  These are aligners that work like braces, except that they are essentially invisible. No one will know you are wearing them. They’ll take about six months to a year to straighten your teeth.  When you’re done, you’ll have a beautiful, straight smile. You might ask your dentist if he’ll allow you to use the aligners as whitening trays. That will allow you to knock out two birds with one stone.

2. Cosmetic Contouring: This is a reshaping of your teeth that takes about one to three office visits. You’ll need x-rays to make sure your teeth are healthy enough for this procedure.  Sometimes just a couple of millimeters of tooth reduction can make your smile completely different. A sanding drill or laser can reshape them. Abrasive strips can shape the sides of your teeth.

3. Porcelain Veneers: In just two appointments, you can change the shape, size, and color of your teeth.

Here is some important advice though, the last two methods need an expert cosmetic dentist.  Don’t settle for the average family dentist who knows some cosmetic procedures. He needs to have the expertise and artistry that only comes from extensive post-graduate training. Your safest avenue is to find someone who is AACD accredited.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

Porcelain Veneers

What can be done about damage to teeth from bulimia?

I am a recovering bulimic. I’ve been pretty stable for the last two years, and have a great counselor, so I feel like I can really beat this illness. I am having this issue, though, and it seems kind of vain in light of all the other health problems I’ve been dealing with, but here it is – my teeth are an embarrassment. I’ve had bulimia for more than half my life. My front teeth are worn, and really thin and chipped. They are shorter than they should be, too.

I know this might sound like something that should be low priority, but I feel like I am finally starting to live again, and my total lack of smile is holding me back. I am not capable of smiling without my hand over my mouth. I mumble. I always look tight-lipped, because I am.

What can be done? Are the teeth too damaged for porcelain veneers? What about porcelain crowns? I have even considered just having them pulled and getting a bridge. I don’t think dental implants are an option I can afford.

Thoughts? I appreciate your help.

Patricia in Erie, PA

Dear Patricia,

Congratulations on working so hard to improve your health and well being. It is absolutely normal to want to express your new-found joy with a radiant smile.

The best recommendation is to seek the services of a skilled cosmetic dentist. Porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns could work for you, but you want to make sure you have someone who is experienced and highly artistic do the work. Generally speaking, a cosmetic dentist will also be more sensitive to your cosmetic concerns.

Lafayette Louisiana cosmetic dentist Dr. Mike Malone’s office sponsored this post.

Porcelain Veneers

Choosing between Lumineers and porcelain veneers

I’ve been thinking about getting my teeth fixed for a long time, and have started looking into what that will involve. My top middle teeth are poorly shaped, with one being really thin and almost triangular, and one that looks as if it had a big chip out of it, though it hasn’t. My other top teeth are not as noticeably weird, though I think if I get the middle ones done, they will look really bad in comparison.

I haven’t talked to my dentist about this yet, and have just started trying to look stuff up on the internet. There is so much information! I am having a hard time even figuring out what to look for.

As far as I can tell, probably Lumineers or porcelain veneers would work for me. But I read a lot of criticism about Lumineers, and wonder if I should maybe chose porcelain veneers. What would you suggest?

Philip in Louisville, KY

Dear Philip,

For best results, you’ll want to change your thinking a little bit. First, Lumineers are a brand of porcelain veneers, so it is kind of like asking if you should buy a Dell or a laptop. There are many brands of porcelain veneers, and trying to figure out what would work best for you would be both time-consuming and ultimately a little pointless. Rather than focusing on the materials you want for your smile makeover, concentrate your energy on choosing the right dentist.

Cosmetic dentistry is not a legally recognized sub-specialty, so anyone can say they do cosmetic dentistry procedures, regardless of training. Check references and credential carefully, and look for evidence of specialized training beyond dental school in the procedure that you wish to investigate. Look for before and after pictures on the dentist’s website.

Though we do want you to focus on choosing the dentist and letting the dentist choose the materials, we do have a word of caution about Lumineers. Many cosmetic dentists refuse to use them, because they can appear pasty and opaque, and the no-prep technique can result in a bulky look and feel. That being said, some dentists have used them to create really beautiful smile makeovers. The choice will be up to your dentist.

Porcelain Veneers

Questions about porcelain veneers

I used to brush my teeth too vigorously, and as a result I have quite a bit of erosion and abrasions along the line where my teeth and gums meet. I’ve changed my brushing habits, but the damage has been done. I am thinking about getting porcelain veneers to cover the damage, but I have some questions first.

If I decide to go with porcelain veneers, will the abrasions make the treated teeth prone to cavities and stains along the gumline?

Are your teeth underneath the veneers extra vulnerable to decay, because the enamel layer has been shaved off to place them?

How long do porcelain veneers go before they start to stain and discolor?

How much does it cost annually to maintain porcelain veneers, and are there any special procedures that are necessary?

Are there any foods or beverages that I won’t be able to have anymore if I get porcelain veneers?

I know these are a lot of questions, but I want to make sure I am making a smart choice.

Thanks,

Chloe in Elverta, CA

Dear Chloe,

The first thing we should discuss is what really may have caused the damage to your teeth along the gumline. For many years, many dental professionals thought it was overly aggressive brushing, but recent research has shown that the type of damage you describe is caused by biting stress (also known as bruxism). The teeth flex at the neck (where the tooth meets the gum) because of the pressure of the clenching and grinding, and that is what causes the “notches”.

Porcelain veneers would cover the damage, but your dentist should address any bruxism issue before placing them, or the lifespan of the veneers will be reduced. If the damage is not too severe, a really skilled cosmetic dentist may also be able to cover the damage with dental bonding.

Porcelain veneers are more stain resistant than your natural teeth, so you should not have to restrict your diet. If the porcelain veneers are well made, they should also serve to protect the underlying tooth from further decay or erosion. There are no special annual procedures necessary to maintain porcelain veneers, but you must always make sure your hygienist is aware that you have veneers so she does not use any abrasive toothpaste.

This blog post sponsored by the dental office of Lafayette Louisiana cosmetic dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

Porcelain Veneers

Traumatic mouth injury treatment

About a month ago, I took a nasty shot to the mouth during a hockey game without my mouth guard in place. Five weeks later, all of my front teeth on the top and bottom are turning black. I also feel like there is something sticking out where it shouldn’t be, like maybe the root of a tooth? It is between my lip and gum, way up by my nose, just to the right of center. I don’t even know enough about dental structures to try and guess what it might be, beyond the broken off root of a tooth.

Clearly I need to get this treated, but should I start with a doctor or a dentist? What kind of treatment do you think they will suggest? I’ve been Googling, and it looks like maybe porcelain veneers, or dental implants if I am going to lose the teeth. Any way you can give me a ball park on how much this might cost? I have dental coverage, but it isn’t that great.

Thanks for your help with this.

Josh from Houston

Dear Josh,

It sounds like the nerve tissue inside the affected teeth has been killed by the trauma. If that does turn out to be the case, the usual treatment would be root canal treatment. In regards to the darkening, there is a way to bleach those teeth from the inside after the root canal treatment, but not all dentists are aware of this procedure. If they cannot be satisfactorily bleached, porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns would be options, though you may want to reconsider hockey if you make that kind of investment in your smile.

You could also have cracked the roots of some or all of the affected teeth. In that scenario, those teeth could likely not be saved, and you would have to have them extracted and replaced, preferably with dental implants.

The protrusion up near your nose definitely needs to be looked at. You don’t mention that any of your teeth were displaced, so I am assuming that it is not a tooth that was driven out of place. All of this care should be done under the care of a highly skilled cosmetic dentist.

We can only offer the most general information about costs, but generally speaking root canals on front teeth would cost a few hundred dollars for each tooth. If veneers or crowns are necessary, figure on $1000 to $2000 per tooth. Dental implant costs usually exceed that per tooth.

This blog provided courtesy of Lafayette Louisiana cosemtic dentist Dr. Malone’s practice.

Porcelain Veneers

Do I really need to see a cosmetic dentist? What is the difference?

I was recently in an accident that fractured my one of my front teeth and the tooth next to it. They did not break off, but both were very noticeably cracked. I was out of town and had to go to an emergency dentist for a repair, and the bonding is not the right color at all. I had to have a root canal on the front tooth, and the dentist said that too will likely darken over time, and become brittle.

So I need to have some cosmetic work done. Before this accident, my smile was a real source of pride for me. My teeth have always been great, and most of them still are white and straight and beautiful. I’ve consulted my regular dentist, who says that I can get just the damaged teeth done with porcelain crowns. I’ve been reading, and it seems like to make the repair look right, I should get six or even eight crowns or porcelain veneers. I am also reading that I should consult with an accredited cosmetic dentist to do this work. Is that really necessary? I like my regular dentist, and he seems confident in doing the work, but he is not an accredited cosmetic dentist, and does not really advertise much as doing cosmetic work. I don’t want to have him stick a couple of crowns on my front teeth that look out of place. I would rather have them all done, even with the expense, than spend the rest of my life dealing with a mismatched smile.

What do you think? I want my smile back! It is one of my few claims to beauty, and I am willing to invest to get it back again. What should I do?

Thanks for your help,

Tracy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Dear Tracy,

First, consulting with a cosmetic dentist in this case is essential. You sound like you really just want to get your smile back to what it was before the accident, and a really skilled cosmetic dentist should be able to help you do that. The brief statement you made about the reading you have done indicates that you are eager to be educated about this and want to make the best decision. Experience has shown that the most important decision you make for this kind of dental care is in choosing the right dentist.

Nearly all dentists are what we call “technician” dentists. When things break, they are very good at fixing them, but may not be overly concerned with nuances of appearance. You had a beautiful smile, and you want it back again. The key to reclaiming your smile is in finding the right professional to help you do so.

Porcelain crowns and porcelain veneers may be possibly treatments, but it is also possible that a skilled cosmetic dentist could do dental bonding on the cracked tooth that is still viable. A great cosmetic dentist will get you beautiful results while leaving as much of your natural tooth structure intact as possible.

Invisalign, Porcelain Veneers

Crooked front tooth options

I hope you can help me. I’ve been trying (without success) to find a dentist to straighten my teeth. So far I have talked to three different dentists, and they all say different things about what the best way to do this is! Who am I supposed to believe? They all have really impressive credentials, so I can’t just look at the stuff hanging on their walls and know who to trust.

The tooth next to my front tooth on the right side is crooked. I mean REALLY crooked, and it is completely out of alignment, way behind my other teeth. It looks BAD. Are braces the only thing I can do in this situation? Is Invisalign a possibility? What would happen if I said I wanted to get the crooked tooth removed?

Thanks for your advice,

Becky in Honolulu

Dear Becky,

Invisalign is usually appropriate for adults with crooked teeth if all of their teeth are fully erupted. In some cases of extreme crowding Invisalign might not be effective, but a dentist certified to treat with Invisalign would certainly recognize such a situation and suggest treatment accordingly.

Another option that you have not mentioned is porcelain veneers. A porcelain veneer could work to create the appearance of a normal, straight tooth, though you do state that the tooth is misaligned. Again, a skilled, experienced cosmetic dentist will tell you whether or not a porcelain veneer is a possibility.

I would not recommend opting to have the crooked tooth extracted. From a cosmetic standpoint, an uneven number of front teeth is just never going to look right. Symmetry is extremely important in smile aesthetics, and an uneven number of teeth simply cannot be symmetrical. From a functional standpoint, a missing tooth will cause the teeth surrounding the gap to shift. This movement can create bite alignment issues, that in turn can lead to problems with your tempromandibular joint (TMJ).

For your best results, I would consult with a dentist that does both Invisalign and is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Ask to see samples of their work through a smile gallery.

Invisalign, Porcelain Veneers

Choosing between Invisalign invisible braces or porcelain veneers

I have always wished to have a really beautiful smile, and have finally reached the point where I can afford to do it. I have one tooth that is crooked, but other than that no big problems with my teeth. I want them to be much brighter and whiter, so I’ve been considering getting 10 porcelain veneers on my top teeth. Whenever I look at the pictures on dentist’s websites, I really like the smiles of the patients who got porcelain veneers.

My dentist doesn’t seem all that excited about this, though, which is weird to me because it is a LOT of money I am ready to spend on this. He has suggested that I consider Invisalign invisible braces instead. I can only see one crooked tooth, so that seems like overkill, to get braces for one crooked tooth. He says he will do the veneers, but that I should have the Invisalign treatment first. That will add up to a year to my treatment time, not to mention the extra cost.

Is this usual, to have orthodontic work before getting veneers placed?

Thanks for your input,

Shelly in Grosse Pointe Woods

Dear Shelly,

This is only speculation, but it could be that you have a bite issue or serious crowding issue, and that is prompting you dentist to push for the braces first. If that is the case, he should have told you why he was making that recommendation. It is customary for a dentist to recommend either Invisalign or porcelain veneers, not both. It is also possible that he thinks the use of the Invisalign braces and a professional teeth whitening will yield the results you want without placing porcelain veneers. Again, if this is what he was thinking, he should have communicated it with you.

In this case, I would recommend a second opinion. Don’t tell the dentist what your current dentist said, and see if he recommends a similar course of treatment.

If you do decided to go with porcelain veneers, make very sure your dentist is an expert cosmetic dentist before you have him do the work. Check his work though his website, or ask to see before and after pictures of his porcelain veneer clients.